Sam was indeed on the next plane. He hadn't been sure what to tell Grace – he didn't want to alarm her or risk inducing an episode of her Epilepsy – and in any case, Charlie hadn't given him any details, citing that it was something Connie needed to do face to face. All he knew was that she was ill with something that wasn't going to 'just go away' – and that she wasn't well enough to travel.
In the end, he'd decided that Grace finding out her mum was ill upon arrival would be worse and that telling her something was better than telling her nothing. Honesty really was the best policy in this case, so he sat her down and told her what he knew. Grace had been upset – of course, but she had also been very mature about the whole thing, taking it better than he had expected. She constantly surprised him like that nowadays.
They arrived at the hospital in a taxi – along with their luggage, as Sam was anxious to see Connie and find out exactly what was going on. Charlie met them outside the hospital as they walked in – wanting to prepare them for the much-changed woman inside.
"Sam, Grace." The nurse exclaimed as the latter threw her arms around his neck affectionately.
"Where's Connie?" Sam asked anxiously, "How is she? I...I knew something was wrong, when she accepted us leaving without an argument."
"I wanted to warn you – before you see her." Charlie answered, quietly. "You'll find her much changed. Sometimes, you'll get glimpses of the Connie we all know and love - and she's trying to act like nothing is happening, but a lot of the time, she's quite tearful and vulnerable – weak and..." He paused. "She doesn't look well, Sam. She needs surgery, but at the moment, she's refusing treatment – maybe you can persuade her otherwise."
"Refusing treatment? Why...why would she do that?" Sam stammered.
"She claims she doesn't think the ED can run without her – it's a risky operation – but I think the real reason is that she's scared of having it with you and Grace so far away – it case it doesn't go well..." Charlie was interrupted by Grace squealing excitedly in the near distance.
"Mum!" There was obvious delight at seeing her mother in her voice, but also a hint of shock – though she covered it well. Grace had been impatient to see her mum and had crept past whilst the two men walked into the ED engaged in conversation.
"Shit!" Sam exclaimed, pushing past Charlie and heading to Connie's office.
"Gracie!" Connie cried happily, standing up slowly and rounding her desk to embrace the surprise arrival. "I didn't know you were coming, sweetheart."
"Mum, you look terrible!" Grace told her helpfully. "...We know you're ill, mum."
"Oh." Connie whispered, "Is...is...your dad here?"
"Yes, I'm here." Sam confirmed from the doorway, where he had been watching, shocked at how ill Connie looked – despite Charlie's warning.
Connie tearfully motioned at him to come closer. He moved over and wrapped his arms around her and she enveloped him in the same embrace she held Grace in – clearly longing for the comfort he was offering. This again shocked him. It was very unlike Connie to show immediate affection for anyone other than her daughter – and even more unlike her to ask for it – especially from him. He kissed the top of her head gently. "Gracie, your mum and I need to have a chat." Sam told their daughter.
"Shall we go and get a drink, Grace?" Charlie suggested from the doorway. "Let mum and dad talk."
"Ok" Grace nodded as Connie reluctantly released her grip on her daughter. "I'll be back soon, mum, ok?"
"Ok, darling." Connie answered.
Charlie stepped out the way to let Grace past. "I've put the cases in the staff room, Sam."
"Thanks, Charlie."
"Ok. Try not to yell at each other, please – and Connie?" She looked up at him. "Remember, you need to stay calm – ok?" She nodded and satisfied that it was safe to leave the once volatile couple, he left the office, closing the door behind him.
"You came straight here?" Connie muttered with air of surprise – apparently finding a very interesting spot of dirt on the floor to stare at.
"Of course I did, Connie – I was worried about you." She continued refusing to make eye contact with him. "So...are you going to tell me what's wrong with you?" Sam asked quietly. "All Grace and I know is that you're seriously ill, - and Connie, I've been imagining all sorts – so please tell me."
Leaning back against her desk, she suddenly seemed nervous. "It's my heart, Sam."
"what?"
"Yeah I know – you think I'm a cold, heartless bitch." She laughed bitterly. "Well, it turns out I do have a heart – only it's faulty and isn't working properly." She sniffed and reached behind her. Picking up her i-pad, she pulled up the image of her heart scan and handed it to him.
"You've got a heart tumour?" He muttered, studying it.
"Oh, well I'm glad to see I managed to teach you something!" She retorted – no doubt resorting to sarcasm in order to mask her true emotions.
He put the i-pad back on the desk and went over to the sofa – the wind all but knocked out of him. "Do you know if it's..." He sat down – unable to finish the question.
She shrugged indifferently, once again. "I've been told that it's probably malignant." She looked up in amazement at the devastated man in front of her. "Why are you crying?! - you don't even like me!" She sighed as he remained a blubbering mess, and eventually moved over to sit next to him. Was it possible that she'd been wrong? - and he really did love her? She swallowed as he continued weeping – unable to stop himself and put her arm around him. "Oh, come here, Sam."
"I don't hate you, Con and I've never thought of you as 'cold' or 'heartless'. You have the biggest heart of anyone I know – and if I was allowed to fix it myself, I would. I'm sorry that this has happened to you." He sniffed. "I know you find that hard to believe – and I know it's my fault, because I just took off with Grace, but I can't explain why because...well, I don't know why I did it." He pulled her closer. "I'm not proud of what I did, Con – and I'm so sorry."
She snuggled against him. "It's ok. You're here now – besides, I've done an awful lot of things I'm not proud of."
"Charlie said that you're refusing treatment, darling?" He muttered.
"Yes, well...I...couldn't bear the thought of... not seeing you and Grace again – if something...happened." She answered quietly,, "Heart surgery's risky – as you know...The odds aren't good, Sam."
"I know that darling – but you need it – the odds without it aren't good either. And we're here now..." The door opened as Charlie and Grace returned.
"It's ironic, isn't it? I'm good with hearts – it used to be 'my thing' – but this is one that I can't fix!" Connie muttered bitterly.
"I know, Con." He squeezed her shoulder.
"Dad'll fix it for you, mum." Grace announced brightly. "He's the best at fixing hearts – after you."
"Well, I learnt from the best." Sam murmured – much to Connie's surprise. He looked up at their daughter guiltily – she was expecting him to be able to make her mum well again – but he couldn't. "Gracie, I won't be allowed to operate on your mum, sweetheart – just like your mum and I weren't allowed to operate on you after the accident."
"Then I want Jac Naylor to do it." Connie retorted. "But Sam? - I'd really like you to be in there, if you can? You and Jac. I don't trust anyone else."
Sam nodded. "I'll talk to Jac, ok?" He pulled Grace down on the sofa, between him and Connie and hugged them both tightly. "We're going to deal with this, ok? - We're a family and we're going to deal with this together."
The hand had been dealt.